1. Recognize that your relationship is abusive
The first and most important step is to realize that your relationship is abusive. Since domestic abuse may not always involve physical assault, the victims are mostly unable to recognize such a relational pattern.
Also, read: Infants exposed to domestic violence have slow mental development, suggests study
2. Speak up and love yourself
Feeling unsafe and difficulty in establishing connections is always a problem for trauma patients. Self-love and social interaction is very important for coming out. Staying or sharing thoughts with someone whom you can trust works like wonder.
3. See a therapist
Consulting a therapist or counsellor to help in the process of post-traumatic stress disorder is vital. He/she will help in mourning the losses associated and giving oneself space to grieve and express emotions.
4. Start redefining yourself
Survivors slowly start recognizing the impact of victimization they experienced. They should start redefining themselves, creating a new sense of self and making a new future.
Healing is not an overnight process, but abuse can have a life. It may have a long impact but severity can be lessened by getting help from people you trust and mental health professionals.
Muslim women can access Muslim trained professionals too and those specialising in domestic violence and abuse generally.
Please use the contact form below should you wish to speak to someone in confidentiality.
Useful contacts:
UK Psychological Trauma Society
Forum for professionals to share ideas and knowledge about trauma, including a list of dedicated NHS and private trauma services in the UK.
Victim Support
0808 168 9111
victimsupport.org.uk
Provides emotional and practical support for people affected by crime and traumatic events.
ASSIST Trauma Care
Information and specialist help for people who've experienced trauma or are supporting someone who has.
Association for Cognitive Analytic Therapists (ACAT)
Information about cognitive analytic therapy, including a list of accredited therapists.
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
Professional body for talking therapy and counselling. Provides information and a list of accredited therapists.
Chiron Association for Body Psychotherapists
Information about body-focused approaches to therapy.
EMDR Association UK
Professional association of EMDR clinicians and researchers in the UK and Ireland. Provides lots of information about EMDR. Includes a search tool to find EMDR-accredited therapists.
First Person Plural
Support and information for people with complex dissociative disorders and their family and friends.
FRANK
Confidential advice and information about drugs, their effects and the law.
Freedom Programme
01942 262 270
freedomprogramme.co.uk
Free support programme for people affected by domestic violence.
Hub of Hope
UK-wide mental health service database. Lets you search for local, national, peer, community, charity, private and NHS mental health support. You can filter results to find specific kinds of support.
Mind Recovery Net
Publishes information on recovery colleges, including a searchable list of providers.
The National Association for People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC)
0808 801 0331
support@napac.org.uk
napac.org.uk
Supports adult survivors of any form of childhood abuse. Offers a helpline, email support and local services.
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)
Produces guidelines on best practice in healthcare.
NHS Services Finder
Searchable database of NHS services in England.
Add a link to Resolution http://https//resolution.org.
Resolution will be holding a number of workshops including a workshop on:
Domestic Abuse and Trauma – A Perspective for Survivors and Perpetrators
This workshop will take you through domestic abuse and trauma.
A pattern of abusive behavior in a relationship that is used by one partner to maintain power and control over another current or former intimate partner. Can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person. This includes any behavior that intimidates, manipulates, humiliates, isolates, frightens, terrorises, coerces, threatens, hurts, injures, or wounds.
Trauma is simply exposure to any traumatic situation or event that overwhelms your ability to cope. For example, sexual, physical or emotional abuse and neglect and domestic abuse.
This workshop will draw on the available research evidence and recent case studies, this workshop will examine survivors and perpetrators perspective. For example, how to engage with survivors and identifying and screening.
The workshop will be case study based and how best to assist such victims, survivors and how to promote safety, support client control, choice and autonomy.
Soon we will be launching an Islamic perspective on Domestic Violence Model and Dr Rahmanara Chowdhry will conduct an online (pre-recorded talk). This will be uploaded to assist and bring awareness among the Muslim community and, in particular, Muslim victims of domestic violence.
